Campden Park woman to stand trail for cocaine in Hairoun product cans

Campden Park resident Lisa Hooper will go on trial on February 21, to answer to three charges in relation to cocaine found in three Hairoun product cans.{{more}}

Hooper, 23, who was charged jointly with Nathan Smith of England, pleaded not guilty at the Serious Offences Court on February 3, for possession of 1,235 grams of cocaine, and two charges of conspiracy to export, and drug trafficking, between July 1 and 24, 2013, at the E T Joshua Airport.

Smith, 22, also appeared in court on Monday and pleaded guilty to attempting to export 1,235 grams of cocaine on July 24, 2013, at the E T Joshua Airport. He was also charged with possession of 1,235 grams of cocaine with intent to supply.

His charges also include, that between July 1 and July 24, 2013, at Prospect, he did agree with Lisa Hooper of Campden Park, and others, that a course of conduct be pursued which, if the agreement was carried out in accordance with their intentions, would necessarily amount to, or involve the commission of the offence of exportation of a controlled drug – to wit 1,235 grams of cocaine.

Senior Prosecutor, Adolphus Delpesche withdrew two other cocaine related charges that were slapped on Smith.

On July 24, police at the E.T. Joshua Airport discovered three Hairoun canned products filled with what tests proved to be liquid cocaine in Smith’s luggage.

The three sealed cans bore the labels Vita malt, Presidente and Hairoun — all local products.

However, Chief Magistrate had asked that the forensic analyst be present in court the following day to explain how the cocaine reached into a liquid form, before she sentenced Smith.

On Tuesday, Delpesche informed the court that the analyst had already made plans to travel that same day and will return to the state today, Friday.

However, Young indicated that the court will not sit until next Wednesday and adjourned Smith’s sentencing to Thursday, February 13, pending the explanation of the analyst.

Delpesche also indicated to the court that the prosecution intends to call Smith as a witness at Hooper’s trial.

Young said if she sentenced Smith, she would not be able to preside over Hooper’s matter.

“If I sentence him, I would hear the facts and it would not be fair for me to try her. I’ll have to transfer it to another court… I don’t feel safe in taking his evidence when I know he can change his plea. I certainly wouldn’t do it,” Young added.

According to the Chief Magistrate, there is nothing wrong by law for him to testify, but she noted that it is at the judge’s discretion.

“He can change his plea from guilty to not guilty at anytime,” Young said.

She then ordered that the matter be transferred to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for hearing.